Observer States

Recommendation CM/RecChL(2013)4
of the Committee of Ministers
on the application of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages by Switzerland

(Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 10 July 2013
at the 1176th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies)

The Committee of Ministers,

In accordance with Article 16 of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages;

Having regard to the instrument of ratification submitted by Switzerland on 23 December 1997;

Having taken note of the evaluation made by the Committee of Experts on the Charter with respect to the application of the Charter by Switzerland;

Having taken note of the comments made by the Swiss authorities on the contents of the Committee of Experts' report;

Bearing in mind that this evaluation is based on information submitted by Switzerland in its fifth periodical report, supplementary information provided by the Swiss authorities, information submitted by bodies and associations legally established in Switzerland and the information obtained by the Committee of Experts during its on-the-spot visit,

Recommends that the authorities of Switzerland take account of all the observations and recommendations of the Committee of Experts and, as a matter of priority:

1. ensure that the introduction and establishment of Rumantsch Grischun in schools takes into account the traditionally used idioms in order to protect and promote Romansh as a living language;

2. promote the use of Italian in the economic and social public sector under the control of the canton of Graubünden.